Amy Schumer to model in new-look 2016 Pirelli Calendar, along with Patti Smith and Serena Williams

The prestigious calendar seems to have taken a new approach, under respected photographer Annie Leibovitz

Amy Schumer has been announced as one of the models to feature in this year’s prestigious Pirelli calendar.

The 34-year-old comedian and actress will join a list that includes Serena Williams, Patti Smith, Yoko Ono, Selma director Ava DuVernay and Tavi Gevinson - the 19-year-old editor of Rookie magazine.

The calendar, also known as ‘The Cal’, long famed for its risqué pictures of the world’s most desired supermodels, has reportedly taken a new turn by celebrating women who are changing society.

Annie Leibovitz, who has taken this year’s pictures, said: “I started to think about the roles that women play, women who have achieved something”, according to Vogue magazine.

“This calendar is so completely different. It is a departure. The idea was not to have any pretense in these pictures and be very straightforward”, the 65-year-old said.

Williams announced her excitement at featuring in the calendar on Twitter:

This is the second time Leibovitz has shot the calendar. The images are often shot by the most esteemed photographers, with Steven Meisel behind the lens for the 2015 edition. Past acclaimed photographers include Mario Testino, Mario Sorrenti and Karl Lagerfeld.

This year’s edition appears to be a far cry from the traditional look of the Pirelli calendar, where models have often been photographed partially or fully nude. Past notable models include Kate Moss, Gigi Hadid, Adriana Lima and Miranda Kerr.

The calendar, produced by the Italian tyre-manufacturing company, is famed for its exclusivity, with a only select group of VIPs and customers in ownership of the publication.

Patti Smith, 68, told Vogue: “I’ve seen a few of the photographs and they’re striking. I have no idea what the average recipient would [think], but I think that they should appreciate a bold move. We’ll see.”

The magazine will be revealed in full in London at the end of November.